Chappaquiddick Lullaby Revisited…

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I think one of the nicest children’s books about MV is “Chappaquiddick Lullaby – a song of Martha’s Vineyard” by Stacy Elizabeth Hall and illustrated by Judith Pfeiffer.

The book also includes a CD by Kate Taylor and Taylor Brown.

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The book is basically about the activities and daydreams that children have during the summer. The illustrations are abundant with Island landmarks and places… you need to read the book several times before you’ve picked out everything included in this rich and lovely book.

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One of the things that drew us to this book is that we had our own Chappaquiddick in the family and when we found out that there was a Chappy song, sung no less by Kate who we, and Chappy, have had the pleasure of meeting… well, we had to have the book.

(P.S… Chappy passed away a few months ago but these precious memories linger on and I’m always happy to share them).

I want to mention Stacy’s first book also…

“The Legend of Katama” is a beautifully told story of Katama, a brave young Wampanoag woman and how she changed her world.

Interestingly this our first dog who was named….. Katama (Katy)… do you see a pattern here:)


Peaches With Candle…

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Weekly Challenge: Morning…

There are countless ways we can start our days.For this week’s photo challenge, publish a new post with an image that means morning to you.

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Mourning doves.  Spelled differently but taken in the morning:)

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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/morning-2016/


Pattern Release: Santa Cruz Cami

Santa Cruz Cami (7)Just in time for the end of summer!  The Santa Cruz cami, worked in two different weights of yarn (sportweight Anzula Vera for the body, laceweight Anzula Breeze for the lace inserts and trim), is the perfect addition to your summer casual wardrobe.

Here are the details:

Sizes
Women’s XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)

Finished Measurements

Bust: 27¼ (31¼, 35¼, 39¼, 43¼, 47¼, 51¼) in / 69.5 (79.5, 89.5, 100, 110, 120, 130.5) cm. To fit with no ease at bust.

Total length (without CC hem): 19¾ (20¼, 21, 21½, 22¼, 23, 23¼) in / 50 (51, 53, 54, 56.5, 58, 58.5) cm

Yarn
MC: Anzula Vera, 65% Silk, 35% Linen, (365 yds / 334 m per 4.06 oz / 115 g), 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins, shown in Victoria
CC: Anzula Breeze, 65% Silk, 35% Linen (755 yds / 690 m per 4.06 oz / 115 g), 1 skein, shown in Victoria

Needles
US3 / 3¼ mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Additional US3 / 3¼ mm needle for three-needle bind off
US1½ / 2.5mm for hem edgings
Size E crochet hook for button bands and edging

Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4in / 10 cm in St st in Vera using US4 / 3.5mm needles
9 sts and 32 rows = 1⅝ in / 3cm for lace pattern (blocked) in Breeze using US3 / 3¼ mm needles

Notions
(9) ⅜in buttons
yarn needle
thread to match MC, sewing needle for sewing on buttons

Skills
simple lace, simple intarsia, picking up stitches, simple crochet for button bands and edging, 3-needle bind off for shoulder straps, mattress stitch for seaming sides, Vikkel braid (directions included)

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Coloring Book Day…

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August 2nd 2016 is National Coloring Book Day

I LOVE to color, long before it was a trendy thing to do I was coloring.

I have my favorite coloring books,my favorite coloring book author is Judy Clement Wall. Here are some snippets from pictures of hers I’ve colored.

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Here’s the one I just finished…

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I use gel pens and colored pencils.  I like geometric designs, mandala and of course Judy Clement Wall:)

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Weekly Challenge: Narrow…

This week, let’s keep things narrow (but not narrow-minded!): share a photo with your take on the theme.

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Duxbury, Massachusetts

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/narrow/

 


Pattern Release: Deco Hat (Knit Picks Creative Color 2016)

Deco HatMy contribution to the Knit Picks Creative Color 2016: Fair Isle Collection, the Deco Hat, is now available!

It really takes advantage of all the shades of color that you can choose in Palette.

When I was designing it I played with several different colorways, but ended up working my sample in nearly the same colors Knit Picks chose.

Here’s all the details:

Finished Measurements
22” circumference x 8.75” high

Yarn
Knit Picks Palette (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 231 yards/50g): Bare, Bittersweet Heather, Lingonberry Heather, Raspberry Heather, and Conch.

Needles
US2 /3mm DPNs or two 24” circular needles for two circulars technique, or one 32” or longer circular needle for Magic Loop technique, or size to obtain gauge

US1 / 2.5mm DPNs or two 24” circular needles for two circulars technique, or one 32” or longer circular needle for Magic Loop technique, or two sizes smaller than size to obtain gauge

Gauge
35.5 sts and 39 rows = 4” in stranded St st in the round on larger needles, blocked.

Notions
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers (minimum 1 for beginning of round)

Skills Required

Knitting in the round, stranded knitting

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Pattern: Morro Shawl

meadow squareMorro Shawl

Love the Estuarine Shawl, but either want more, or maybe something a little simpler? This sideways knit shawlette features the dot knit stitch in a textured side panel, and a sumptuous lace and cabled side edging that’s knit at the same time. It’s easily sized to your yarn quantity; work the repeats according to the recommended percentages of your yarn weight.

Morro is shown in two different yarn weights: laceweight Meadow and worsted weight Knightsbridge. You can work it in any weight following the guidelines in the pattern.

My grandparents took me and my younger brother Paul to Morro Bay so many times when we were growing up. Grandpa would go deep sea fishing, and the rest of us would go beachcombing and exploring. The Morro Bay Estuary is a vibrant, thriving estuary on the Central California coast.

Sizes
Laceweight (Worsted)

Finished Measurements as shown
Length: 70 (89¾) in / 178 (228) cm
Width: 10 (15¼) in / 25.5 (38.5) cm

Yarn
Laceweight: The Fibre Company Meadow, 40% Merino wool, 25% Baby llama, 20% Silk, 15% Linen (545 yds / 498 m per 3.53 oz / 100g), 1 skein. Shown in Hydrangea. As shown, shawl weighed 94g.

Worsted: The Fibre Company Knightsbridge, 65% baby llama, 25% merino, 10% silk (120 yds / 110 m per 1.76oz / 50g), 7 skeins. Shown in Skyworth. As shown, sample weighed 300g.

Needles
US3 / 3.25 mm (US7 / 4 mm) or size to obtain gauge

Gauge
Laceweight: 29 sts and 29 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in dot knit stitch pattern (blocked)

Worsted: 24 sts and 20.5 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in dot knit stitch pattern (blocked)

Notions
yarn needle, cable needle

Skills
simple cabling; simple lace

Both charts and line by line instructions provided.

knightsbridge cropped

 

 

Pattern: Estuarine Shawl

estuarine (5)Estuarine Shawl

This top-down shawl, with a two-colored cable center section, just begs to be wrapped around you!

The dot-knit stitch is a fun and simple way to give texture to the side panels. A sumptuous lace and cabled edging is knit on at the end.
Play with this pattern: you can even work it in a single color, or with a contrasting edging, in case you don’t want to tackle the stranding and intarsia!

Estuaries are a place of transition: rivulets of fresh water mix with the ocean’s salt water. They are a rich and diverse part of the ocean and coastline ecology.

One Size

Finished Measurements
Height: Height: 33½ in / 85 cm
Top Edge: 85¼ in / 216.5 cm

Yarn
The Fibre Company Cumbria Fingering, 60% Merino Wool, 30% Masham/MassamWool, 10% Mohair (328 yds / 300 m per 3.53 oz / 100 g).
4 skeins (1173 yds / 1073 m) MC (shown in Helvellyn)
2 skeins (624 yds / 571 m) CC (shown in Scafell Pike)
Sample used 1066 yds / 975 m MC and 567 yds / 518 m CC

Needles
US3 / 3.25 mm, or size to obtain gauge

Gauge
20 sts and 31 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in side panel stitch pattern (blocked)
Note that this shawl is blocked quite vigorously. See notes on blocking.

Notions
(4) stitch markers, yarn needle

Skills
simple intarsia; stranding; cabling; reading charts; knitted on edging; garter stitch tab; provisional cast on if desired; knitted cast on

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Pattern Releases: Estuarine and Morro Shawls

The Estuarine Shawl, shown below, is now available!

It’s worked in Fibre Co Cumbria Fingering, a yarn I fell in love with while working on this shawl.

Although the pattern is written for using multiple colors, you can knit it in one color, or knit the main body in one color, and the knit-on edging in a second contrasting color.

Check out the gorgeous projects from the test knitters here and in the thread here.

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Morro Shawl
The Morro Shawl is the little sister to the Estuarine Shawl. It features some of the same nifty details of the Estuarine Shawl: the dot knit stitch, and the lovely edging. If you’re a little nervous about tackling Estuarine, give Morro try!

Morro is shown in two different yarn weights: laceweight Meadow and worsted weightKnightsbridge, both from Kelbourne Woolens.  You can work Morro in any weight and any (reasonable, lol) yardage, following the guidelines in the pattern, making it a great choice for stash busting.

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knightsbridge cropped

I’ll do a post about each pattern including all the details (you can find the same info on their Ravelry pages, though, the in the meantime!  Estuarine Shawl and Morro Shawl).